LV11677B

LV11677B - Automated method and apparatus for detachably securing flexible packages to a display strip

Info

Publication number: LV11677B
Application number: LVP-96-356A
Authority: LV
Inventors: Ali Gur; Thomas E Bown
Original assignee: Recot Inc
Priority date: 1994-02-10
Filing date: 1996-09-03
Publication date: 1997-06-20
Also published as: US5433060A; AU681242B2; KR100241920B1; ATE180729T1; LT96131A; EP0742772A1; EE03229B1; NO308696B1; BR9506764A; HU216411B; AU1564195A; FI963123A; OA10461A; FI963123A0; PL178172B1; NO963194L; CN1058459C; NZ279115A; HU9602202D0; DK0742772T3

Abstract

A method and apparatus for removably securing flexible packages (70) to a display carrier strip (18) so that the packages can be removed therefrom without damaging the sealed condition of the packages. The apparatus includes sealing jaws (52, 53) which form transverse seals on a package preform that is separated into two packages. The sealing jaws have attached to the underside thereof sealing blocks which carry sealing elements that heat-seal the display carrier strip to the top of each filled sealed package simultaneously with the forming of the transverse seals by the sealing jaws. The attachment of the packages to the carrier strip is greatly simplified compared with prior art attachment systems.

Description

1 LV 11677

AUTOMATED METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETACHABLY SECURING FLEXIBLE PACKAGES TO A DISPLAY STRIP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the invention

The present invention relates generally to systems for affixing packages to a carrier strip and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for detachably securing flexible packages to a display carrier strip and simultaneously forming a sealed end of each package.

Description of Background Art

It is known in the art to form flexible packages of various products, e.g., snack food products, and affix the packages to a carrier strip which may be displayed in a grocery store or the like. The customer can remove a package from the carrier v/ithout damaging the package, i.e., without adversely affecting the sealed condition of the 2 package. One of the primary attributes of such display strip systems is their suitability for use in a retail establishment with limited space. The display strips are considerably smaller than conventional product display racks, which racks may not fit in particular establishments due to space limitations or may not be justified in view of limited saies volume. The display strip and attached packages require little space and may be positioned on a counter or other suitable support. U.S. Patent No. 4,422,552 to Palmer et al. and U.S. patent No. 4.476.615 to Palmer disclose methods and apparatus for folding the end seal or flange of a bag into the slot of a display card. The steps of folding and tucking the end seals of numerous packages into a slotted display card are often performed manually and consume considerable time and expense. The prior art, however, includes alternative methods of attaching flexible packages to a display card.

For example, U.S. Patent No. 2,272,623 to Runner discloses a display card with packages removably attached thereto by adhesive. In U.S. Patent No. 4,003,782 to Farrelly, manufactured bags are applied to two lines of pressure sensitive 3 LV 11677 adhesive and then stored in a carton or the like. It is also known to attach empty packages to a display or mounting support base and then fill and seal the packages. See U.S. Patent No. 3,331,162 to Hannon. Several problems arise with the aforementioned methods off securing packages to a display strip. One problem that often occurs when the packages are adhesively attached to the display strip is that the packages cannot easily be removed from the strip without damaging the sealed condition of the packages. Additional problems arose in attempts to automate the attachment of the carrier strip to the flexible packages due to the limited space available below the sealing jaws of a conventional bagmaking apparatus. In other words, there was little or no room below the seal jaws to accommodate automatic attachment equipment .

It is apparent that there is a need in the art for a method and apparatus for removably securing flexible packages to a display strip which are free of the problems present in prior art systems. 4

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for detachably securing flexible packages to a display carrier strip while simultaneously sealing an end of each package. In its preferred form, the present invention includes a novel sealing jaw assembly which permits the display carrier strip to be fed therethrough into close proximity with the package preform. The sealing jaws place a transverse seal in the package preform which forms the top seal of a fined package extending below the jaws, and the bottom seal of an empty package extending above the jaws. The top seal of the filled package is detachably secured to the carrier display strip simultaneously with the forming of the transverse seal. The continuous display strip and attached packages then may be transported by a suitable conveyor device to a packaging area or the like and prepared for shipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional features and advantages of the present invention win become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the 5 \ι\ LV 11677 accompanying drawings wherein: FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic view of an automated asseiiibly apparatus for detachably securing flexible packages to a display strip; FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a sealing jaw according to the present invention; FIG. 2B is an end elevation view of the sealing jaw shown in FIG. 2A looking in the direction of arrows b-b in FIG. 2A; FIG. 2C is a sectional view of the sealing jaw shown in FIG, 2A looking in the direction of arrows c- c in FIG. 2A; FIG. 3A is an enlarged view of the encircled portion in FIG. 1; FIG. 3B is a front elevational view of the portion shown in FIG. 3 looking in the direction of arrows a in FIG.3; FIG. 4A is a front elevational view of the finished display strip and attached packages; FIG. 4B is a side elevational view of the display strip and attached packages shown in FIG. 3A; and FIG. 4C is a front elevational view of the display strip and attached packages shown in FIG. 3A with some of the packages removed. 6

DĒTAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, an automated apparatus for detachably securing flexible packages to a display strip is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10. A bagmaking apparatus, e.g., a vertical form, fill, and seal apparatus (VFFS) , is shown schematically at 12 . Bagmaking apparatus such as VFFS machines are known in the art and win not be described in detail in the present application.

Bagmaking apparatus 12 forms packaging material into package preforms which are advanced in consecutive fashion through the apparatus 12. In particular, a preform is transversely sealed by sealing jaws at a sealing station disposed below the filling tube of the bagmaking apparatus. The seal constitutes the top edge of a fined package extending below the sealing station and the bottom edge of a yet to be fined package extending above the sealing station. A knife mechanism cuts the preform at the transverse seal to separate same into two separate packages; the lower package being filled and sealed at both ends and the upper package being empty and sealed at its lower end. After separating the packages by cutting the transverse seal on the preform, the empty package 7 LV 11677 is advanced and filled to bring its top edge to the sealing station where it is sealed and separated from the next package, i.e., the package now extending above the sealing station.

The sealing station is indicated generally at 50 in FIG. 1 and includes sealing jaws 52, 53 for forming the aforementioned transverse seals. A lower sealing assembly for removably attaching the packages to the display strip is indicated generally at 60 in FIG. 1 and includes lower sealing blocks or bars 62, 63. As best seen in FIGS. 2A-2C, lower sealing blocks or bars 62, 63 preferably are respectively secured to sealing jaws 52, 53. Sealing jaw 52 has a cut-out portion 66 which defines a slot 68 extending through the jaw for reasons that win be described below.

With attention directed to FIG, 1, a supply reel 14 of display carrier strip material has a strip web 18 extending therefrom toward bagmaking apparatus 12. A reel friction brake 16 Controls the speed of rotating supply reel 14 . The display carrier strip is preferably manufactured from a material that is flexible but yet stiff enough to support a plurality of packages as seen in FIG. 4A which shows the final product. The display strip 8 material is selected so that it does not melt and/or deform before the attachment of the packages to the strip, i.e.,, as the strip is fed through the sealing jaw which typically reaches 375°F during operation. For example, the cuts the preform at the transverse seal to separate same into two separate packages; the lower package being filled and sealed at both ends and the upper package being empty and sealed at its lower end. After separating the packages by cutting the transverse seal on the preform, the empty package is advanced and filled to bring its top edge to the sealing station where it is sealed and separated from the next package, i.e., the package now extending above the sealing station.

The sealing station is indicated generally at 50 in FIG. 1 and includes sealing jaws 52, 53 for forming the aforementioned transverse seals. A lower sealing assembly for removably attaching the packages to the display strip is indicated generally at 60 in FIG. 1 and includes lower sealing blocks or bars 62, 63. As best seen in FIGS. 2A-2C, lower sealing blocks or bars 62, 63 preferably are respectively secured to sealing jaws 52, 53. Sealing jaw 52 has a cut-out portion 66 9 I I! LV 11677 which defines a slot 6 8 extending through the jaw for reasons that win be described below.

With attention directed to FIG, 1, a supply reel 14 of display carrier strip material has a strip web 18 extending therefrom toward bagmaking apparatus 12. A reel friction brake 16 Controls the speed of rotating supply reel 14 . The display carrier strip is preferably manufactured from a material that is flexible but yet stiff enough to support a plurality of packages as seen in FIG. 4A which shows the final product. The display strip material is selected so that it does not melt and/or deform before the attachment of the packages to the strip, i.e., as the strip is fed through the sealing jaw which typically reaches 375°F during operation. For example, the those skilled in the art will recognized of course, that means for advancing the carrier strip web other than the above-described stepper motor may be used. For example, an air cylinder device which advances the strip web with air powered mechanical movements may be used in lieu of the stepper motor mechanism .

With attention directed to FIGS. 2A-2C, sealing jaw 52 of sealing station 50 and sealing block 62 of lower sealing assembly 60 are shown therein in 10 detail. Sealing jaw 52 includes an upper sealing portion 54 and a lower sealing portion 56 separated by a groove 58. The groove 58 extends a limited distance from adjacent the outer surface of sealing portions 54, 56 into the interior of sealing jaw 52. See FIG. 2C. Groove 58 preferably contains a knife mechanism (not shown) which severs the package preform into a lower fined package and an upper empty package as described above. Specifically, upper sealing portion 54 forms the lower transverse seal of the upper package and lower sealing portion 56 forms the upper transverse seal of the fined lower package. After the knife mechanism separates the packages, the upper package, the bottom edge of which now has been sealed, may be fined and advanced downward, wherein further actuation of the sealing jaws 52, 53 seals the top of the same package.

The present invention attaches the fined sealed packages to the display strip 18 simultaneously with the forming of transverse seals as described above. Attached to the sealing jaws 52, 53 by any suitable means are, respectively, sealing blocks 62, 63 of lower sealing assembly 60. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2C, display carrier web 18 passes from \ take-up spool 20, past strip drive mechanism 30, through sealing jaw 52, and into engagements with the package. For this purpose, sealing jaw 52 is provided with an elongated slot 68 extending therethrough. A cut-out portion 66 of sealing jaw 52 cooperates with sealing block 62 to define slot 66. In particular, sealing block 62 preferably is secured to sealing jaw 52 so as to cover cut-out portion 66. See FIG. 2B. Sealing block 62 also preferably has a width that is slightly greater than the width of cut-out portion 55 but less than the overall width of sealing jaw 52. Lower sealing blocks 62, 63 have mating seal elements 64 disposed thereon as best seen in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The sealing elements 64 of each block 62, 63 are aligned so as to engage each other when the sealing jaws 52, 53 are brought together. The display carrier strip web 18 passes into slot 68 of sealing jaw 52 and then downward from the slot over the sealing elements 64 of sealing block 62. See FIGS. 1, 2A and 2C. This positions the display carrier strip 18 in close proximity with the unsealed top edge of a fined package 72, shown in phantom in FIG. 1. In addition to sealing the top edge of the fined package 72 (and the bottom edge of an overlying empty package) , actuation of the sealing jaws 52, 53 detachably secures the top edge of fined package 72 to the display carrier strip 18. Lower sealing blocks 62, 63 preferably have a plurality of sealing elements 64 disposed thereon which secure the fined package to the display carrier strip 18 at locations corresponding to the position and number of sealing elements 64. In a preferred embodiment, three sealing elements 64 are included on each sealing block 62, 63. However, those skilled in the art win recognize that different numbers and configurations of sealing elements may be used without departing from the present invention.

Sealing blocks 62, 63 heat-seal the top edge of the filled package to the display carrier strip 18 upon actuation of the sealing jaws 52, 53. The sealing elements 64 securely affix the package to the strip 18 such that the package may be easily removed from the carrier strip without damaging the sealed condition of the filled, sealed package. The material from which display carrier strip 18 is formed adheres to the packaging material by point heat and pressure applied by sealing blocks 62, 63. Thus, the actuating motion of sealing jaws 52, 53 13

It] LV 11677 seals the top edge of the filled package and seals the package to the display carrier strip. This arrangement greatly simplifies the overall procedure and is a significant improvement over prior art systems. The carrier strip 18, with the filled, sealed packages 70 attached thereto, is carried by a conveyor mechanism 80 to a location where the strip and packages are prepared for distribution. The flexibility of the display carrier strip permits the same to be case packed with the packages attached thereto for easy storage and/or transportation. FIGS. 4A-4C show a display strip produced according to the present invention and having a plurality of packages secured thereto in removable fashion. The display carrier strip 100 includes an adhesive hanger member 110 which serves to secure the entire assembly to a suitable support surface. Of course, any other support or hanger means may be used. The strip 100 has packages 120 removably attached thereto by heat seal connections 130 formed by the strip seal bars or blocks 62, 63 as described above. FIGS. 4A and 4B show a display carrier strip 100 fully covered with packages 120. FIG. 4C shows the 14 product display strip of FIGS, 4A and 4B with several packages removed, the releasable heat seal connections 130, which permit removal of the packages 120 without damaging their sealed condition, are visible on the portion of the display carrier strip 100 from which packages have been removed.

It is apparent that the method and apparatus of the present invention permit the removable attachment of fined, sealed flexible packages to a display carrier strip without the problems present in prior art systems. The attachment of the packages to the display carrier strip is carried out using the existing motion of the sealing jaws which form the top and bottom edge seals of each package. A precisely controlled strip drive mechanism cooperates with the sealing jaws to eliminate prior art problems in package control and positioning. Moreover, the attachment mechanism for securing the packages to the carrier strip is greatly simplified over prior art systems. Consequently, the present invention significantly reduces manufacturing cost compared with conventional package attachment systems .

Other features and advantages of the present ! !Η LV 11677 15 invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art, as will many modif ications and alterations in the preferred embodiments of the invention described herein, ali of which may be achieved without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 16 LV 11677

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for manufacturing a plurality of sealed packages which are detachably secured to a display carrier strip, the apparatus comprising: a bagmaking device for forming a package preform, the preform configured to receive product; a sealing station disposed adjacent said bagmaking device, the sealing station including sealing jaws for forming a transverse seal across the preform to form a top seal of a fined package extending below the sealing station and a bottom seal of a package to be fined extending above the sealing station; a strip drīve device for feeding a continuous carrier display strip to a location adjacent the sealing station; and at least one strip seal bar for detachably securing an end of each package to 17 II! the carrier display strip simultaneously with the sealing of an end of the package by the sealing j aws; whereby fined sealed packages are secured to the carrier display strip and can be removed therefrom without damaging the sealed condition of the packages. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sealing station includes a pair of sealing jaws for forming the top and bottom seals of adjacent packages and a pair of strip seal bars for detachably securing the packages to the carrier strip. 3. An apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein one of the two sealing jaws includes a slot extending therethrough and the carrier strip passes through the slot in the one sealing jaw to a location adjacent an end of a package. 4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the slot expending through the one sealing jaw is defined between one of the strip seal bars and a cutout portion of the one sealing jaw. 5. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a first strip seal bar is secured to a first sealing jaw and a second strip seal bar is secured to a 18

!LJ LV 11677 second sealing jaw, and wherein activation of the sealing jaws to form the transverse package seal activates the seal bars to removably secure a package to the display carrier strip. 6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the strip seal bars include a plurality of mating seal elements . 7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the strip drive device includes a stepper motor and a stepper wheel, and the stepper motor rotates the stepper wheel to controllably advance the display carrier strip web toward the sealing station. 8. An apparatus for manufacturing a plurality of sealed packages which are detachably secured to a display carrier strip, the apparatus comprising: means for forming a package preform configured to receive product; a sealing station disposed below said means for forming the package preform, the sealing station including means for forming a transverse seal across the preform to form a top seal of a filled package extending below the sealing station and a bottom seal of a package to be filled expending above the sealing station; means for feeding a continuous carrier display 19 strip to a location adjacent said seal-forming means; means for detachably securing an end of each package to the carrier display strip simultaneously with the sealing of an end of the package; and means for separating adjacent preforms along the transverse seal to form the bottom and top seals of packages expending, respectively, above and below the sealing station; whereby the packages are secured to the carrier strip so as to be selectively removable therefrom without damaging the sealed condition of the packages. 9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said seal-forming means includes a pair of sealing jaws for forming the top and bottom seals of adjacent packages. 10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein one of the sealing jaws of said seal-forming means includes a slot extending there through for feeding the carrier strip therethrough and against a package. 11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the sealing jaws of said seal-forming means each include a strip seal bar for detachably securing 20 LV 11677 the carrier strip to the package preform, and wherein activation of the sealing jaws to form a transverse package seal activates the seal bars to removably secure a package to the display carrier strip. 12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the slot extending through the one sealing jaw is disposed between the strip seal bar and a lower portion of the one sealing jaw. 13. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the strip drive device includes a stepper motor which rotates a stepper wheel for frictionally engaging and advancing the display carrier strip web toward the sealing station. 14. A method of manufacturing a filled, sealed package which is removably secured to a continuous display strip, the method comprising steps of: forming a package preform configured to receive product from a product supply source; forming a transverse seal across the preform to form a top seal of a fined package extending below the sealing station and a bottom seal of a package to be fined extending above the sealing station; and detachably securing the fined package to a display carrier strip by affixing the top seal of 21 the fined package to the carrier strip simultaneously with forming said top seal of the filled package. 15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the sealing of the preforms at the sealing station is performed by sealing jaws which simultaneously detachably secure an end of the fined package to the carrier strip. 16. A method according to claim 15, wherein one sealing jaw includes an opening through which the carrier strip may be passed into close proximity with the package preform and detachably secured thereto by the sealing jaws. 17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the sealing jaws of said seal-forming means each include a strip seal block for detachably securing the carrier strip to the package preform, and wherein activation of the sealing jaws to form a transverse package seal simultaneously activates the strip seal blocks to removably secure a package to the display carrier strip. 18. A method according to claim 16, wherein the strip drive device includes a stepper motor and a stepper wheel, and the stepper motor rotates the stepper wheel to advance the display carrier strip 22 LV 11677 web through the opening in the one sealing jaw and toward the sealing station. 19. A method of simultaneously sealing one end of a package and removably attaching the package to a display strip, the method comprising steps of: positioning a package having at least one end adjacent a pair of sealing jaws such that the one end of the package is disposed between the jaws; feeding a display strip through a slot formed in one of the sealing jaws to a location adjacent the end of the package; and simultaneously sealing the end of the package and removably attaching the display strip to said end of the package. 20. A sealing apparatus for sealing an end of a package preform and simultaneously securing the package preform to a carrier strip, the apparatus comprising: a sealing assembly including a pair of sealing jaws for sealing an end of a package preform disposed between the sealing jaws, wherein one of the sealing jaws has an opening through which a carrier strip may be fed into close proximity with the package preform; and at least one carrier strip sealing element for 23 detachably securing the package preform to the carrier strip simultaneously with the sealing of the end of the package preform; whereby a filled sealed package formed from the preform may be removed from the strip without damaging the sealed condition of the package.

Claims

1! 1! An apparatus for the manufacture of a plurality of hermetically sealed sachets, which are rigidly attached to an exponential carrier sheet comprising: a bag making device which forms a packet of product packaged in a suitable form for filling the product; a bag closure device disposed near the bag-making device and provided with clamps for sealing the preforms with a transverse suture, forming a top seam for a filled bag underneath the device, and a lower seam for a filling bag located on the top of the device; tape drive devices providing continuous feeding of the sachet carrier to the bag sealing device; at least one clamping shoe or support that tearfully attaches the end of each sachet to the carrier sheet at the same time as closing the sachet end with the clamps; achieving a filled and sealed packet on the carrier sheet in such a way that it can be detached from the tape without damaging the sealing seam of the packet.

Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the bag closure device is provided with two pairs of jaws for closing the upper and lower seams of the adjacent packets, as well as the shoe pairs for loosely attaching the packets to the carrier strip. 2

Device according to claim 2, characterized in that one of the pairs of jaws is formed by a gap through which the carrier strip moves to reach the end of the packet.

Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the gap formed in one of the pairs of jaws is delimited by a notch in one of the claws and one of the shoes intended for attaching the sachet to the belt.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the first shoe for attaching the sachet to the tape is disposed on one of the sides of the jaw, and the second shoe is arranged on the other side of the jaw in such a way that the use of the jaws for forming the transverse seam of the sachet also triggers the shoes. to provide ratchet attachment to the carrier.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the shoes are made up of a plurality of oppositely arranged aligned elements.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the belt feeder is equipped with a stepping motor and a step wheel, the stepping motor being driven by a stepping motor to adjust the feed carrier to the bag sealing device.

8. An apparatus for producing a plurality of hermetically sealed sachets that are rigidly attached to an exponential carrier sheet comprising: a preform forming means for forming a packet of product packaged in a suitable form; a pouch-sealing device disposed under the pre-fabricated means provided with means for sealing the preforms with a transverse suture, forming a top seam for a filled pouch below the device, and a lower seam for a filling pouch located on the top of the device; 3 EN 11677 tape drive means providing continuous feeding of the sachet carrier to the bag sealing device; means for detachably attaching the end of each sachet to the carrier sheet simultaneously with sealing the end of the sachet; removing the adjoining preforms from the transverse suture to form a lower and upper seam for the sachets located, respectively, above and below the bag sealing device; securing the packets to the carrier strip in such a way that they can be detached from the tape without damaging the sealing seam of the packet.

Device according to claim 8, characterized in that said means for forming a seam is formed as two jaws for forming the upper and lower wires of the adjacent packets.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that one of the pairs of jaws is formed by a gap through which the carrier strip moves to reach the packet.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that each member of the jaw is provided with a shoe which is detachably attached to the carrier strip at the pack member, so that the use of the jaws for forming the transverse seam of the sachet also triggers the shoe to provide the sachet. detachable attachment to the carrier tape.

Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the gap formed in one of the pairs of jaws is located between the shoe for attaching the sachet to the tape and the lower part of the jaw.

13. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the belt feeder is equipped with a stepping motor and a step wheel which fixes and feeds the carrier roll from the roll bag closure device. 4 III

14. A method for producing a hermetically sealed sachet that is rigidly affixed to a carrier sheet, comprising: manufacturing the blanks in a suitable form for filling the product; making the suture cross-shaped by forming a top seam for a filled sachet located under the sachet sealing device, and a lower seam for a filling bag located on the top of the device; attaching the sachet to the carrier strip by attaching the top seam of the filled sachet to the carrier strip at the same time as the top seam of the filled sachet is formed.

A method according to claim 14, characterized in that the closure of the workpieces in the sealing device with the closing jaws is carried out simultaneously with the rigid attachment of the end of the filled sachet to the carrier tape.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein one of the pairs of jaws is formed by a gap through which the carrier belt moves to enter the packet workpiece and is loosely attached by means of a closing jaw.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein each of the jaws is provided with a shoe which is detachably attached to the carrier blank of the sachet, such that the use of the jaws to form the transverse seam of the sachet also triggers the shoes to provide detachable attachment of the sachet to the carrier strip. .

Method according to claim 16, characterized in that the belt feeder is equipped with a stepping motor and a step wheel driven by said motor to feed the carrier roll from the roll to the bag sealing device through the gap in one of the claws. 5 I 1 EN 11677

A method for simultaneous sealing of one end of a sachet and detachable attachment of a sachet to a carrier sheet comprising the following operations: the sachet having at least one end is positioned between the clamping jaws such that one end of the sachet is between the clamps; passing through the gap in one of the claws a carrier belt in such a way that it reaches the end of the packet; at the same time seal the sachet and loosely attach the carrier to the end of the sachet.

20. An apparatus for sealing one end of a workpiece together with a detachable attachment of a packet to a carrier sheet, comprising: a locking mechanism comprising a closing jaw for sealing the end of a packet of sealed sockets with a gap formed in one of the jaws by which the carrier straps are provided can deliver a packet near the workpiece; at least one carrier fastening element for detachably securing the sachet to the carrier strip simultaneously with sealing the end of the sachet; ensuring that the packed and sealed package can be removed from the tape without damaging the sealing seam of the packet.